TRADES AND LABOR.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1729, 21 April 1906, Page 2

TRADES AND LABOR.

(For Fress Aisodatlon.) Christchurch, yesterday.

The Trades Conference resumed to day. Mr Boiser (Auckland) moved, “ That in consideration of the fact that very large quantities of kauri gum are exported to Europe and America without being sorted in the colony, and whereas sorting in iheFO oountries is done by cheap labor to the detriment of unionist gum-sorters in Auckland province, tho Conference strongly urgrs the Government to irnpofe an export duty on unsorted gum over the value of £4O per ton.” The motion was carried, with the addition, “That tho Government bo asked to nationa ise the gum industry, and pending suoh action to plaoo a heavy export duty on gum.” A motion by Mr Cooper (Wolliegtcn) wes carried, " That tho Government be urged to introduce legislation to provide for registret'oa of all partnerships, the certificate of registration to show the names and occupations of persons constituting suoh partnership.” A proposal from the Nelson Council that tbo Government be asked to provide a penalty for breaoheß of the Shops and Offices Aot on statutory holidays was referred to tho Executive. Ttre Conference, after a long discusßioD, carried a motion oi sympathy with the Melbourne Trades Council in its proposals for tho institution of a universal six hours' day.

HIGH PROTECTIVE DUTIES PROPOSED.

(Per Press Association.) Christchurch, last nigh

Tho Conference disoussed a motion that the Government be urged to amend the Eleotoral Aot, making it illegal for any candidate for Parliamentary honors to make donations within three months of an election.

Motions wero adopted that the poll tax on Chinese should bo inoreasod to £IOOO, and that the conference, through the exeoutive, take into consideration the question of united action in connection with the selection of a workers’ representative on the Arbitration Court. A motion was proposed that the tariff be revised this session, so as to give greater encouragement to all natural industries, and inter alia to provide that a prohibitive duty ehtll be placed on all imported manuf,ctured parts used in the bcokbindiug industry all imported buggies, and all foreign-built vessels sold in New Zealand. Tho discusuon was interrupted by tbo adjournment. The conference resumes to morrow morning.